A Pilgrimage of Spices

While in Phoenix for the weekend to drink and be merry with friends and family, I took my usual side trip to Penzey’s Spices. No scratch that, it is more like a journey to mecca.

A wave of delightful aromas hits you as soon as you walk in. Anything they have available to purchase they also place in a large jar that you can pop open and take a whiff of. The whole store is very well-organized, and they are kind enough to provide coffee beans everywhere so you can “reset” your nose.

One of the best parts about their spices and their blends is that on the back of each one they provide recipe suggestions and portion information. Take one of my favorites, Northwoods Fire. It’s a very warm and smokey flavor with a background of thyme.